Forms of Recreation: Customer Retention

You may know Gibson, the renowned guitar manufacturer founded in the United States in 1902. This is a concept of what Gibson can choose to design, a type of brand community centered on a shared hobby: guitar playing, ultimately turning guitar-playing hobbyists into members with benefits, including access to exclusive events and unique experiences. Listen to Andre Brathwaite (your host) wherever yo...

In the next four episodes , we will create concepts for Gibson, Orvis, STIGA, and Montblanc, with the potential to design their own branded clubs. Our goal is to help product brands build more brand communities driven by hobbies. How? By turning what they are selling into something people feel a sense of belonging, using a framework we call The Ferris Five . ______ Want to check out the latest epi...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Ferrari, the renowned car manufacturer founded in Italy in 1939. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Enzo Ferrari, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy:hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Scuderia Ferrari Club), locations (Il Cavallino Restaurant), and activities. Listening to...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Oysho, the renowned women’s activewear brand founded in Spain in 2001. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Amancio Ortega, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Oysho Community), locations (Oysho Partner Studios), and activities. Listening to...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Corning, the renowned glass manufacturer founded in the United States in 1851. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Amory Houghton Sr, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (CMOG Community), locations (Corning Museum of Glass), and activities....

Founders. You’ve probably heard of PADI, a renowned scuba training organization, certification agency, and magazine publisher founded in the United States in 1966. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (PADI...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of National Geographic, the renowned editorial magazine brand founded in the United States in 1888. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, prominent explorers, scientists, and scholars, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (National Geographic S...

What happens when a brand doesn’t just make beehives, but builds a sense of belonging with them? In this episode of Forms of Recreation , we take a closer look at Flow Hive, which uses a Product-as-Access model to welcome backyard beekeepers into a global community. Listen to Andre (your host) wherever you get your podcasts. ______ Want to join or learn from the club featured on this episode? Visi...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Harley-Davidson, the renowned motorcycle manufacturer founded in the United States in 1903. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, William Harley and Arthur Davidson, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Harley Owners Group), locations (Harl...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of LEGO, the renowned toy manufacturer founded in Denmark in 1932. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (LEGO User Groups), locations (LEGO House), and activities. Listening to this epis...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Swarovski, the renowned crystal brand founded in Austria in 1895. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Daniel Swarovski, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Swarovski Crystal Society) and locations (Swarovski Crystal Worlds). Listening to th...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Leica, the renowned photography equipment brand founded in Germany in 1925. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Ernst Leitz, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Leica Society International), locations (Leica Akademie), and activities. Liste...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Titleist, the renowned golf equipment brand founded in the United States in 1932. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Phillip Young, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Team Titleist), locations (Titleist Ball Plant 3), and activities. List...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Tracksmith, the renowned running apparel brand founded in the United States in 2014. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Matt Taylor, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club (Hare A.C.), locations (Trackhouses), and activities. Listening to this...

Are you part of a marketing team? Discover Audubon, the iconic editorial magazine brand founded in the United States in 1905. In this episode, host André Brathwaite dives into the inspiring backstory of co-founder Harriett Hemenway, who turned her passion into a thriving brand that extends beyond selling products: National Audubon Society as a hobby-driven experience. Listening to this episode is...

Are you part of a marketing team? Discover Unistellar, the iconic smart telescope manufacturer founded in France in 2015. In this episode, host André Brathwaite dives into the inspiring backstory of co-founder, Laurent Marfisi, who turned his passion into a thriving brand that extends beyond selling products: Unistellar Citizen Science as a hobby-driven experience. Listening to this episode is jus...

Are you part of a marketing team? Discover Rapha, the iconic cycling apparel brand founded in England in 2004. In this episode, host André Brathwaite dives into the inspiring backstory of founders Simon Mottram and Luke Scheybeler, who turned their passion into a thriving brand that extends beyond selling products: Rapha Cycling Club. Listening to this episode is just one of the many ways we at Fo...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of renowned brands, including National Geographic, Rapha, LEGO. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstories of its founders, who turned their passion into lasting brands that use a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including clubs, locations, and activities. Listening to this episode is just one of the many ways we at Forms of Recreati...